Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Magic Illusion

These are some of the best power cables for the money I've found. (They're only 2nd in quality to ElectraGlide:FatMan I have just purchased at twice the price.) These Illusion cables are still a great unit for low-power devices like preamps & sources where I heard NO improvement with the better cable. The clean effortless power delivery allows dramatic clarity in dynamic signals. I figured these sources ran class A which would preclude dynamic current draw but there it was. IMPROVEMENT ... exteneded treble, extended bass, extended dynamics ... from a power cable no less. Something that only conducts current during voltage extremes. Go figure. My cynicism melted about all those extra measures for power cords. Previously, I thought triple shielding over 12AWG silver plated strands was sufficient on my AM:Sorcerers which I already owned (which I have since moved to replace zip cord in my lower-fidelity sources for which they've continually thanked me since). In retrospect, I think every signal robbed from it's bother. Consequently, everybody was slightly degraded equally. A classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. EG: bass was transitionally constricted while treble was mucked in direct comparison.

But the story doesn't end there. Much as the Shakti:OnLine improved liquidity to the sound from a digital source. So too the Audio-Prism:Wave-Guide adds warmth to the sound from the power source. This is a pair of twin juxtaposed magnets clamped around a cord. The sound is much like a ferrite core's blackness without the accompanying dynamic that dulls the sound. This not only is black but without the extra crap, the dynamics seem to improve & transients hone. The image is sharpened but not unnaturally. I've since used them on all of my power cables ... including stock zip cords on my mid-fi systems. Just don't put multiple zip cords through them it doesn't sound right. However, if a single power zipcord has extra length, you can loosley loop it though a couple times for a little more benefit & tack up the slack simultaneously. Too bad the ElectraGlide doesn't fit.

REVIEW: Audio Magic Illusion - power cable Cable Review by Mart at Audio Asylum